At present there are 80 protected plant species in Ireland, including flowering plants, moss/liverworts, algae and lichens. Under national legislation it is an offence to damage or destroy any part of a protected plant or to wilfully alter, damage, destroy or interfere with its habitat. In addition, many other species are threatened with extinction and have been placed on national red-lists, including 144 flowering plants, 185 mosses and 12 species of algae. There is currently no legal protection for these species, but planning authorities will request that they are considered during development projects.
Most rare and protected plant species have a highly restricted distribution in Ireland, often only occuring in only one or two counties. If a development has any risk of disturbing a known site for any of these species, a planning authority may request a flora survey and report from a suitably qualified ecologist. In particular, the following activities are considered high-risk:
- Clearance of vegetation in ideal habitat for any of these species
- Changing the chemistry or hydrology of their habitat through fertilisation, liming, drainage or groundwater abstraction
- Discharges of surface water or waste water into rivers or lakes containing protected aquatic plants
Habitat / flora surveys – what is involved?
A detailed botanical inventory will be required, ideally between June and August (inclusive). If any rare or protected plants are found on a development site, mitigation measures may be required to avoid damaging plants during construction works, and to ensure appropriate management of their habitat in the long term. Suitable measures will be designed on a case-by-case basis in consultation with the project architect or engineer.
If you require a flora survey please contact us for a quote or further advice.
